Kingston says he’s “not familiar with the specifics” of the Ledbetter bill, but says he supports the concept.

But, in general, he owns up to voting pretty much the way Messinger claims he did.

But that’s not “the whole story,” he added, saying some issues she’s cited were parts of broader legislation he opposed for other reasons. And in some cases, he said, he voted for GOP-backed measures with similar provisions.

“To jump-start the economy, we don’t need more bail-out and stimulus programs like those she seems to support,” he said. “We need to unshackle small business by repealing some of the job-killing regulations.”

‘We’re going broke’

He dismissed the proposal to give $250 to people on Social Security as a 2010 election-year gimmick.

“We’re going broke,” he said, citing the national debt and arguing that Social Security benefits already reflect a formula that overstates cost-of-living increases.

“You can always run on giving people money,” he said, “and no one’s going to complain except the grandchildren who have to pay the bill.”

Kingston said employers have told him excessive extension of jobless pay makes it harder for them to hire entry-level workers.

“The more you extend benefits, the more you drive up the unemployment rate,” he said.

He also called the Obama mortgage relief program a failure.

“It created a bureaucracy,” he said, “but I don’t think it did anything to save homeowners.”

And he used Messinger’s criticism of his vote on corporate bonuses to aim a barb at her.

“That’s the private sector,” he said of the bonuses. “If she’s so into transparency, why hasn’t she filed the economic disclosure required of congressional candidates? What’s she hiding?”

The report was due no later than June 30.

Senior adviser Charles Dean said she filed a report, but withdrew it so she could revise it and will resubmit it.

As of Saturday evening, the website of the Clerk of the House, where reports are filed, included no record of a report by her.

She also says Kingston is beholden to big businesses, lobbyists and “right-wing” groups for “millions of dollars” in campaign donations.

“He doesn’t represent the people of Georgia,” she said.

Campaign cash disputed

Kingston conceded he gets a lot of cash from corporate interests, but added, “I bet we get more contributions from individuals than she does.”

Most of the money he reported receiving in the third quarter of this year is linked to businesses, including big corporations.

But he also listed more than 80 donations from individuals; she listed only one individual donor — herself.

She also reported an undetermined number of other gifts of less than $200, which don’t have to be itemized. They added up to $6,378. Kingston reported $2,225 in such donations.

In any case, Kingston says “it’s in everyone’s interest for me to look after the needs of major employers in our area.”

But he says he doesn’t always vote the way they ask him to.

“I have always maintained my independence,” he said.

Low-key campaign

Messinger and her supporters lament that the news media don’t cover her campaign.

But judging by her latest campaign report, there hasn’t been much of one except for a slew of signs. Many of them are left over from the primary.

On the stump, she and Kingston have resembled ships passing in the night, mostly skipping events that the other attended.

Over the years, Kingston has run a more-or-less permanent campaign. It ranges from thousands of Christmas cards sent to constituents to an annual barbecue that usually feeds hundreds.

He’s a regular speaker on the service club luncheon circuit.

And whether it’s to celebrate Savannah State University’s Homecoming or Tybee Island’s Beach Bums, he’s in it if it’s a parade.

A news release precedes almost every such appearance.

A standard line: “As always, feel free to approach Jack and ask him questions about any issue.”

In contrast, Messinger sometimes has been hard to contact.

Kingston picked up his pace this weekend by launching his first TV and radio ads.

Lately, he’s been touting his ability to work with Democrats to achieve results in Washington, D.C.

He cited his cooperation with Democratic Sens. Herbert Kohl of Wisconsin and Dick Durbin of Illinois to get a major spending bill enacted.

“What we need now more than ever,” he said, “are people who can work with both sides to get things done and still be true to their causes.”

Top issues and objectives: As long as our troops are in harm’s way and our outposts are under attack, national security and troops are a top priority. Creating jobs and boosting the economy through regulatory relief, tax reform and harnessing American energy, as well as continuing to lead the fight for Georgia’s deepwater ports. Cut government waste, balance the budget, and pay down national debt to free future generations from a life indebted to China

Political experience: Worked in presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Al Gore

Top issues and objectives: Provide businesses incentives to keep jobs in the U.S., improve benefits and services for veterans and the unemployed, protect the middle class through job training and economic development, build, repair and improve infrastructure vital for emergency management, deepen Savannah’s port to keep it competitive in world trade

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Lesli Messinger doesn't claim the 1st District's news media doesn't cover her campaign. Her campaign has received a good amount of coverage, in national outlets as well as the 1st District. The Democratic perspective on most issues, however, is ignored in many of the 1st District's media outlets.

Lesli Messinger stands for these issues, which you are right in reporting aren't on the "Republican radar." They include much higher rates of poverty and lack of economic and education opportunities among the underprivileged in the 1st District. Since Georgia "flipped" Republican, there is a pronounced lack of education resources in disadvantaged communities in all 17 counties; this is exacerbated by national representation that is Republican. Class divisions are escalating. Growing numbers of people cannot break the cycle of poverty. A 10-term career politician, Kingston really only takes care of his own – big business, anonymously funded Super PACs and the U.S. war machine. He gives a great deal of lip service to veterans. Yet he voted against the Bring Jobs Home Act, and the Veterans' Jobs Bill, just this year.

In the worst economic recession since the Great Depression he has only really served to keep the status quo in place. Republican policies brought on the current recession, and President Obama inherited it. Yet Kingston and his Republican colleagues have made clear their intention to blame the President for the recession by obstructing every move Obama has proposed to kickstart the economy. The middle class cannot afford such antics.

Finally, Kingston denies there is a "war" on women. Yet he voted against the Lily Ledbetter Act that would have enforced equal pay for equal work; and supports the Romney-Ryan "Plan for Prosperity" which would authorize Tea Party extremists' legislation to take away reproductive rights women have had for decades, severely curtail their health care programs by abolishing Health Care Reform and Planned Parenthood. These programs give women life-saving, and cost-saving, routine health screenings many could not otherwise afford.

Kingston doesn't represent the interests of any middle class or working families, women, or the burgeoning numbers of ordinary Americans in poverty – those who especially need his help.

Contrary to the promise he signed when he first ran for Congress, Jack Kingston has become a career politician who has been in office 20 years. He seeks to extend that to 22 years in this election. So Jack, what kind of term limits were you talking about when you first ran for office-thirty year terms?

I guess when you bring home that government check and have that health care, pension and Congressional perks, and you get wined and dined by lobbyists, it is rather easy to forget you told people that career politicians were bad government many, many years ago, eh Jack?

because his constituents keep sending him back. I doubt very much that he gives a rat's behind what an insignificant transplanted lawyer thinks. When you decide to run a more conservative, more responsive, more atuned candidate, you may see your dream come true. Somehow, I do not think you will be producing anything close to that for a run. Here's some free advice - concentrate on the 12th and you might get some traction.